Hamlet: A short book review on a Shakespearean play

 Hamlet by William Shakespeare

    In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare there are many memorable and meaning quotes but my favorite above all else is "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."(Act 2, scene 2, line 268-270).  a short and concise quote that reflects one of the themes of Hamlet, question of identity; saying nothing we do is inherently bad or good but only what we make of it decides if it is good or bad.  This quote permeates thought the play based on the choices many of the key characters make throughout the play.  Hamlet Is one of Shakespeare's most notable plays; it's a story that takes place in Denmark and is a story about revenge and manipulation. It begins a few months after the kings passing where a ghost like figure of the king warns his son Hamlet that he was betrayed by his brother and current king on the throne.  Hamlet embarks then on a path of revenge by making the king think about philosophical problems and guilt of the killing of his brother.  By the end of the play the revenge does not go as planned and many of the key characters end up all killing each other in the name of revenge of loved one's loss of from manipulation of others.  Hamlet is a long and intricate play that is difficult to fully explain but once seen or read the reader will find themselves lost in the winding story of betrayal and revenge that is Hamlet.  Overall, for anyone that enjoyed Shakespeare's other works are bound to love this even more.

    

Hamlet (2015)
Directors: Lyndsey Turner · Robin Lough
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

    Hamlet covers and deals with multiple different themes and ideas throughout the play's entirety.  The theme I saw the most and felt most and reflected the play is Betrayal.  In every act there is always some form of betrayal occurring whether it is planned, revealed or occurred at the time; many of the characters experience a betrayal or are the betrayer.  The first act of betrayal occurs in Act one when the ghost of king Hamlet appears before his son Prince Hamlet; "The Serpent that did sting thy father's life. Now wears his crown."(Act 1 Scene 5, lines 46-47). BY his father's ghost the first betrayal shown in the play is Hamlet's uncle murdered his father so he could take the crown.  Another act of betrayal occurs through act 2-4 where Hamlets fake act of madness deceives Ophelia his true love and instead acts disgusted in her and continues this all the way to, he accidentality murders her father; ultimately betraying Ophelias love and faith in Hamlet. This is best showcased as " You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not" (Act 3, scene 1, lines 127-129).  In Hamlets act of insanity to torment and set up his father's revenge he betrayed Ophelia's Love by telling her he did not love her.  This line and actions caused and eventually led to Ophelias suicide when she went crazy.  Hamlet is full of betrayal in the royal families from murder to deception to accomplish and complete one's goals.  Betrayal can be seen left right and center in Hamlet showcasing it as one of its major and clearest themes.

    

                                            YouTube spark notes: Shot summation of Hamlet

 

Hamlet: Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus, and the Ghost 

Henry Fuseli

1776

  I have read many of Shakespeare's biggest plays and all include major themes and ideas that can relate to today's landscape in society and Hamlet is no exception at all to this case.  Hamlet is truly one of Shakespeare greatest plays that still holds lessons and ideas relevant to today's society.  For those who choose to read this play my suggestion is to always keep another book or website that helps translate the Shakespearian writing as sometimes it can be hard to understand and keeping a second source on hand can help understand the context of what is being said at times.  Overall, I highly enjoyed this reading this play as its themes and ideas reach out to modern day and can be learned from and taken in stride.